Monday, March 15, 2010

Former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey, Addresses St. John's Cathedral in Albuquerque


From Pakistan (?)

For many, a Friday evening is a time for movies, dinner with the family, or hanging out with friends. As great as these activities may be, my wife, Melanie, and I elected to attend an Evensong service at the Cathedral of St. John in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a recent Friday evening.

The reason for our visit to the beautiful cathedral was to hear the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey (b. November 13, 1935), address the congregation on Africa and the state of the Anglican Communion.

For those not familiar with an Evensong (evening prayer), it is a service composed entirely of music, Scripture reading, and prayer. The service structure is quite beautiful and majestic.

The last time Melanie and I attended Evensong together was in Canterbury, England at Canterbury Cathedral. The year was 2005, and I had just finished graduating from Canterbury Christchurch University.

Now five years later, we are back at an Evensong service, enjoying an evening of worship and music.

After the Invitatory and Old Testament lesson, taken from Hosea 14: 1-9, Lord Carey read from Mark 12, focusing on loving God with our mind, heart, body. His baritone voice and articulate inflection rang out throughout the sanctuary.

The choir, directed by Maxine Thevenot, led the congregation through the Apostles Creed, Nunc Dimittis, hymns of praise (O Gladsome Light and O Trinity of Blessed Light), and prayers, all as the organ blared the music of Buxtehude, Ned Rorem, and Thomas Noble.

After the service it was time for Lord Carey, now a member of the British House of Lords, to address the people.

More here-

http://pakistanchristian.tv/news/2010-03-14_Former_Archbishop_of_Canterbury_Lord_George_Carey_Addresses_St_Johns_Cathed.cfm

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